Close to 30% of Irish 16-year-old boys gambled within the previous year when asked, with teenage boys far more likely to engage in problem gambling than girls. The report also found that over one in five 16-year-olds who had gambled in the past year were getting into difficulty controlling their gambling. Just under 20% felt the need to bet more money, while just over 8% reported lying to important people about how much money they gambled.

The report – Children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland – published today by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and Tobacco Free Research Institute (TFRI). It analysed the survey responses of 1,949 Irish 16-year-olds, who were asked about their gambling activities in 2019. The survey into gambling habits is conducted in 35 European countries.....